Consider how much replacing a transfercase would cost, and skids are indeed a bargain lol.
There are lots of good brands. Rock Hard (thats what I have - inspection pic below lol), EVO, River Raider, JCR, Artec, Synergy, JCR - just about every major Jeep fab type business makes them.
If you have an automatic, at least start with an oil skid - there is NONE there from the factory. The other places you at least have factory skids. Then buy additional pieces as time and funds permit. You dont have to do them all at once. Then I would probably tackle diff cover/skid and control arm skids next - these are the lowest points. Tho you can do them in any order. Depending just how much crunching you plan to do, a replacement crossmember should be added somewhere in your skid plans. The factory one is whimpy, but it will survive some good clunks so not a must do for now if you break up buying skids over time.
Since you dont have a Rubicon, your pinch seam/rocker needs something as well. If you cant budget rock sliders, hunt Craiglist or WF for sale section for some takeoff Rubicon rails. A local dealer here who mods a lot of Jeeps was recently selling their supply of ones they had taken off for $50 a set. These are pretty decent and will save the lower edge of your body. I still have my Rubicon rails, tho I am ordering rock sliders soon.
Also once you find a brand you like, reach out to WF sponsor vendors and most can usually save you a good buck.
And you can throw on a small puck lift/level kit (ie $200-300) as well if you want, then just do a big spring lift when you get bigger tires.